David Kernek, a resident on Camden Road, said: “Fairfield Park is now the only district in Bath served by a bus that does not provide a direct two-way connection to its local centre.”

Mr Kernek added that the “insignificant” saving of £39,000 is only 0.0158 per cent of the council’s gross revenue spending, excluding education expenditure, but the consequences for residents have been “anything but insignificant”.

Councillor Lin Patterson (Greens, Lambridge), who is the campaign group’s leader, said: “We plan to tell the council that this problem has not gone away.

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“The £39,000 subsidy cut has reduced the 6/7 service in such a way as to cut the public transport connection between two once-closely linked communities, with Fairfield Park now being the only district in Bath served by a bus that does not provide a direct two-way connection to its local centre.

“The idea that the route change affects only a small number of people is mistaken. It’s made life very difficult, especially for elderly people, and parents with young children.

“The alternatives – for a journey of no more than two miles – are walking up and down very steep hills, or taxis and private cars, both of which are expensive and add to the pollution this council says constantly it wants to see reduced.”

The changes to the bus routes has also had a damaging effect on Larkhill business, with Ms Patterson adding: “Bath’s suburban retail centres are vital, since – contrary to what some B&NES councillors appear to be believe – not everyone wants to go the city centre shops.”